Imperial Palace, within the gardens.
“Your humble subject’s daughter pays her respects to the Empress Dowager.”
A slender figure slowly bent her knees, performing a flawless curtsy to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager raised her eyes, her gaze falling upon the young girl before her, who appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen. There was a faint resemblance to Zhao Zhirou in her features, prompting the Empress Dowager to ask, “Which family’s daughter are you?”
“Empress Dowager, your humble subject’s daughter is Zhao Zhifu.” Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying the unique charm of a young girl.
“So you are also the daughter of General Zhao’s family.” The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, turning her gaze to Zhao Zhirou beside her and reaching out to take her hand. “Your younger sister?”
Zhao Zhirou’s heart tightened, but she maintained a gentle expression as she replied, “Empress Dowager, please forgive my younger sister. She is young and does not yet understand proper etiquette. I apologize if she has disturbed you.”
“It’s no matter. This girl strikes me as quite clever. Accompany me in admiring the flowers.” The Empress Dowager smiled faintly.
Zhao Zhifu inwardly rejoiced, casting a triumphant glance at Zhao Zhirou, her eyes brimming with unmistakable provocation.
Nanny Chang observed this clearly from the side, silently contemplating:
“The Empress Dowager seems intent on arranging a marriage between these two Miss Zhaos and Chief Grand Secretary Lu. But who will ultimately win the bloom depends on the skills of these two sisters.
This rivalry between sisters promises to be quite a spectacle.
For the Empress Dowager, it matters little whom Chief Grand Secretary Lu marries. What matters is that he remains within her grasp.”
Lu Chuyao sat restlessly in his seat. Why hadn’t Su Yao returned yet?
After a moment, he could no longer contain himself and quietly rose to leave.
Lu Huaijin watched his departing figure intently. Having raised this child himself, he understood his temperament all too well.
“Chief Grand Secretary.” Zhao Zhifu’s cheeks flushed as she timidly called out.
Lu Huaijin, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard, his expression indifferent. He respectfully addressed the Empress Dowager, saying, “Empress Dowager, I have some matters to attend to and must take my leave.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his steps decisive and swift, his gaze not lingering even for a moment on either of the Zhao sisters.
Zhao Zhirou lowered her head in silence, while Zhao Zhifu watched Lu Huaijin’s departing figure, her eyes filled with disappointment. Her hopeful expectations had been met with such cold indifference, dousing the tender feelings of a young girl’s heart like a bucket of cold water.
The Empress Dowager took in all of this, her gaze lingering in the direction Lu Huaijin had left. Meaningfully, she said, “You are both well-behaved children. It so happens that I also have something I wish to discuss with you, to hear your thoughts.”
Zhao Zhirou opened her mouth as if to speak but swallowed her words.
Inside the Side Chamber, the fragrance of tea wafted gently, and several plates of delicate pastries were arranged neatly on the table.
The Empress Dowager raised her hand in a gesture of invitation, a smile playing on her lips. “Do not stand on ceremony with me. In terms of age, I am only a few years older than you. The late emperor passed away early, and life in the palace often leaves me feeling lonely…”
“Empress Dowager, you must not grieve. Your health is of utmost importance,” Zhao Zhirou quickly stepped forward to express her concern.
“Zhirou is a sensible and good child.” The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her gaze shifting between the two. “The Chief Grand Secretary and I have been friends for many years. Seeing him alone all these years, solitary and without companionship, I feel that, in the end, I have delayed him. What do you think of him as a person?”
The probing intent in her words grew increasingly evident.
Zhao Zhirou’s heart sank, the color draining from her face in an instant. Her knees weakened, and she fell to the floor with a “thud.”
“Empress Dowager, this humble girl knows she is unworthy of the Chief Grand Secretary. I was once betrothed, but fate played a cruel trick, and we ultimately could not be together. My heart belongs to another, and I truly cannot harbor any improper thoughts toward His Excellency. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
“Oh? There is such a matter?” The Empress Dowager feigned surprise.
Long before the Flower Banquet, she had thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of all the noble young ladies.
Ever since Zhao Zhirou’s engagement with the Su family of the Ministry of Personnel was broken off, she had not considered any other matches. The Empress Dowager naturally understood that this girl must have someone hidden in her heart. Such a person could indeed be a useful asset.
After all, if there truly were a woman deeply infatuated with Lu Huaijin, she would feel displeased.
She was the one who had broached the subject of marriage. If she did not arrange a match for Lu Huaijin, others would inevitably gossip. And Zhao Zhirou happened to be the perfect pawn for her to wield.
“Empress Dowager, this humble girl has long heard that Lord Lu is upright and principled, maintaining his integrity all these years without any scandal. I have admired His Excellency for a long time. If I could have the honor of serving by his side, it would be my greatest fortune,” Zhao Zhifu could not help but interject from the side.
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone meaningful. “It is truly excellent that the Third Miss Zhao has such intentions.”
Zhao Zhifu secretly felt triumphant. As a concubine-born daughter, she had been overshadowed by her legitimate elder sister Zhao Zhirou for many years, enduring countless grievances.
But her youth and beauty were her greatest assets.
If she could marry the powerful Chief Grand Secretary Lu, her status and that of her mother would surely rise, allowing them to finally hold their heads high.
“In that case, you may as well try. Although this humble one cannot force the Chief Grand Secretary, I will certainly lend you a hand,” the Empress Dowager said, a faint, elusive smile on her face, hiding intentions difficult for others to discern.
“Empress Dowager, you are too kind to this humble girl!” Zhao Zhifu exclaimed, her face flushed with excitement as she quickly grasped the Empress Dowager’s sleeve, coquettishly pleading, “I will spare no effort and will not disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations.”
The look of triumph in her eyes was as if she had already become the wife of Chief Grand Secretary Lu.
Yet she failed to notice that beneath the Empress Dowager’s sleeves, her hands were already clenched into fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms, leaving stark marks on her fair skin.
Lu Chuyao, anxious and preoccupied with thoughts of Su Yao, hurried straight toward Cining Palace.
As he approached the palace, his peripheral vision caught several little eunuchs furtively carrying something wrapped in bedding, filing out through a side gate.
They appeared hurried and flustered.
Suspicion instantly arose in Lu Chuyao’s heart. As if guided by an unseen force, he changed direction and quietly followed them.
The little eunuchs moved swiftly and soon arrived in front of Eunuch Hai’s quarters.
They carefully carried the “object” inside, then left in haste, as if relieved of a burden.
Lu Chuyao concealed himself in the shadows. Only after the little eunuchs had gone did he slowly approach.
He raised his hand, gently poking a small hole in the window paper with his finger, held his breath, and looked inside.
That single glance struck him like a thunderbolt, freezing the blood in his veins.
It was Su Yao!
And the obese, greasy Eunuch Hai had already stripped off all his clothes and was approaching Su Yao step by step, a disgusting, lecherous smile plastered on his face.
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager summons you.”
Eunuch Hai’s movements paused abruptly. “Damn it, why does someone always come to ruin my fun whenever I’m getting things done!”
Though he cursed under his breath, as a servant, he dared not disobey the Empress Dowager’s command, no matter how bold he might be.
He reluctantly stopped what he was doing, grumbling to himself while hastily putting on his eunuch robe.
Then, he grabbed an iron chain from a nearby rack, strode over to Su Yao, and roughly fastened it around her ankle, locking it tightly. He glared at her and snarled, “Let’s see you try to run this time. I’ll deal with you properly when I get back!”